8 Day Lemosho via Northern Circuit
About This Route
The Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The Lemosho route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau. We recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. The Lemosho route joins the Machame route at Shira 2 Camp and then follows the same route through the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at Weru Weru River Lodge (or alternative).
Meals: No Meals Included
Day 2 Lemosho Glades 2385m > Big Tree Camp 7kms
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3 Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4 Shira Camp1 3500m->> Moir Hut
Today we have the chance to view the Northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. The terrain during our steady climb will change from the moorland of the Shira Plateau to the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with great panoramic views. Our camp is close to Moir Hut (4175m). In the afternoon we do an acclimatization walk to the lower part of the Lent Hills group, to an altitude of 4300m.
10kms > 5-6hrs > Altitude gain 675m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5 Moir Hut 4175m ->>Buffalo Camp 4,030 m
We walk heading North to Moir Valley, we climb out of this to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m before striking eastwards around the Northern Circuit Trail and Finish our day at Buffalo/Pofu Camp.
12kms >4-5hrs >Altitude down 140m = Acclimatization Day = Afternoon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner IncludedB
Day 6 Buffalo Camp 4,030m ->>Third Cave 3900m
The day starts with a climb up heading east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
8kms >4-5hrs > Altitude down 50m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7 Third Cave 3900 m ->>School Hut 4,750m
We begin a day with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. We then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks and headlamp before going to bed.
15kms>4-5hrs >Altitude gain 850
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8 School Hut 4750m ->> UHURU PEAK 5895m 6km, 7hrs then UHURU PEAK->> Millennium Camp 9 km> 6hrs
We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us.
Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking.
Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 10 Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*We also welcome you spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
***End of your Tour***
Pricing
| GROUP SIZE | STANDARD ACCOMMODATION | MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION | BUDGET ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 PERSON | $2355 | $2305 | $2255 |
| 2 TO 4 PEOPLE | $2060 | $2010 | $1960 |
| 5 TO 9 PEOPLE | $2000 | $1950 | $1900 |
| 10 AND ABOVE | $1940 | $1890 | $1840 |
*Kindly note the prices above differ according to your choice of pre & post trek accommodation in Moshi. While on the mountain, the same standard of service is provided for all clients.
Standard Accommodation refers to 4* Hotels & Lodges
Mid – Range Accommodation refers to 3* Hotels & Lodges
Budget Accommodation refers to 2* Hotels, Lodges, B&Bs and Inns
*Single Room Supplemen: $30
*Tanzanian Residents pay 75% of rates. *East Africa Citizens pay 50% of rates
Join a group and get up to 15% off rates.
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- -29C Extreme Limit Sleeping Bags
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Mbugani Hotel (or alternative) on Bed & Breakfast Basis
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 10% discount on meals at selected restaurants in Moshi Town
- Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
- 2- way shared airport transfers (for private transfers it costs $20 extra per vehicle)
- Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter
Not Included
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- A doctor for the group
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$150 per toilet + toilet tent)